Short answer
“that's ridiculous” in Korean is 말도 안 돼요
How to say that's ridiculous in Korean?
If you're wondering how to say that's ridiculous in Korean, the expression is 말도 안 돼요 (maldo an dwaeyo). It literally means 'even the words don't work' and is used when something is absurd, unbelievable, or makes no sense. The casual form is 말도 안 돼 (maldo an dwae), and the formal form is 말도 안 됩니다 (maldo an doemnida). Use the polite form with people you don't know well, the casual form with friends, and the formal form in official settings. This is one of the most natural Korean reactions to a ridiculous statement.
Common pairings
정말 말도 안 돼요말도 안 되는 소리말도 안 되는 가격말도 안 되는 이야기
How to use it
- 말도 안 돼요 is the polite standard form. Use it with coworkers, acquaintances, or anyone you need to be respectful toward. With close friends, drop the -요 and say 말도 안 돼 instead.
- In formal situations such as meetings, announcements, or complaints to a boss, use 말도 안 됩니다. You can make any version stronger with 정말 (really), as in 정말 말도 안 돼요.
Examples
그게 진짜라면 정말 말도 안 돼요.
If that's really true, that's ridiculous.
Reading: maldo an dwaeyo. The -요 ending makes it polite; use this form with people you're not close to.
말도 안 돼! 그런 일이 벌어질 리가 없어.
That's ridiculous! There's no way something like that happened.
Reading: maldo an dwae. This is the casual, exclamatory form you'd use with close friends.
이번 결정은 전혀 수용할 수 없습니다. 정말 말도 안 됩니다.
This decision is completely unacceptable. It's truly ridiculous.
Reading: maldo an doemnida. The formal -습니다 ending suits boss-level or official settings.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 그 말은 말도 안 |
그 말은 말도 안 됩니다. | Using the casual ending with a boss or stranger sounds too blunt. The formal ending keeps the same meaning but shows the proper politeness level. |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 그건 |
그건 말도 안 돼요. | 우스꽝스럽다 means 'laughable' or 'hilarious,' so it sounds like you're making fun of something. Use 말도 안 돼요 for 'that's ridiculous.' |
FAQ
- How to say that's ridiculous in KoreanSay 말도 안 돼요 (maldo an dwaeyo). It means 'that's ridiculous' and works in most polite situations. With friends, use 말도 안 돼; in formal settings, use 말도 안 됩니다.
- What does 말도 안 돼 literally mean?It literally means 'even words don't work' or 'it doesn't even make sense.' The particle 도 adds emphasis, so it's like saying 'even the words don't hold up.'
- Is it rude to say 말도 안 돼?No, but it's casual. Use it only with close friends or people younger than you. In polite or formal contexts, use 말도 안 돼요 or 말도 안 됩니다.